Telco, construction firms among tax dodgers

Datuk Sabin Samitah (left) warned tax dodgers would be exposed and dragged to court if they failed to pay up within a month. ― Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) is set to come down hard on 20 large companies that owe the government RM1.4 billion in taxes.

The board’s chief executive officer, Datuk Sabin Samitah, warned the dodgers would be exposed and dragged to court if they failed to pay up within a month.

In another shocking revelation, Sabin said IRB had identified over 2,500 business entities and individuals who had evaded paying taxes since the launch of Operasi Gegar Bersepadu three days ago.

“The companies in question are from the telecommunications, plantation and construction industries. If they refuse to settle their outstanding taxes, we will take them to court and their names will be revealed,” he said.

Sabin said there were 30 companies that had earlier failed to pay RM2.2 billion in taxes but 10 of them had settled RM800 million after receiving notices from IRB.

“These companies have cost the government a loss in revenue and it is our responsibility to recover the money,” he said.

The board had launched a series of operations since Monday, zeroing in on corporations including government-linked companies and “underground businesses” largely centred in Bukit Bintang and Bangsar.

“There is poor bookkeeping in these areas, making them a gold mine for unregulated businesses,” Sabin said.